The Journal of international medical research
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Procalcitonin: a novel cardiac marker with prognostic value in acute coronary syndrome.
Procalcitonin (PCT) is implicated as an inflammatory marker in early atherosclerosis. In order to investigate the clinical consequences of increased PCT levels in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 77 patients (29 with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [MI], 34 with ST-elevation MI and 14 with unstable angina pectoris) were included and followed up for 6 months. ⋯ The PCT levels within 48 h post-admission in the nine patients who died within 6 months were also significantly higher compared with the survivors (0.451 +/- 0.44 versus 0.406 +/- 1.37 ng/ml, respectively). It is concluded that higher PCT levels within 48 h post-admission may reflect an inflammatory state that is associated with increased early and 6-month mortality.
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This prospective, multicentre, epidemiological study was designed to assess the prevalence of neuropathic pain among adults with chronic low-back pain (LBP) in the Arabian Gulf region. A total of 1134 patients recruited from the outpatient medical setting were assessed using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) Pain Scale. ⋯ Factors associated with neuropathic pain included advanced age, female gender and diabetes with or without hypertension. It was concluded that neuropathic pain is a major contributor to chronic LBP in the Gulf region, and that the LANSS Pain Scale is a practical and rapidly administered screening test for distinguishing the relative contributions of neuropathic and nociceptive pain in patients with chronic LBP that resulted in the use of a more appropriate treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of consumption and recovery profiles according to anaesthetic circuit mode using a new multifunctional closed-circuit anaesthesia system during desflurane anaesthesia: a clinical study.
This clinical study compared induction time, consumed anaesthetic dose, and haemodynamic and recovery profiles when using a new type of multifunctional anaesthesia machine (Zeus) in semi-closed or closed circuit modes. Sixty female patients undergoing gynaecological surgery were randomly assigned to three groups and received desflurane anaesthesia through a semi-closed circuit (SCC) at fresh gas flow rates of 4 l/min (SCC 4 l/min) or 2 l/min (SCC 2 l/min), or through a closed circuit (CC). ⋯ There were no differences in haemodynamic and recovery profiles between the groups. It is concluded that the CC mode allowed a faster and more reliable induction, lower anaesthetic consumption and stable haemodynamic and recovery profiles.
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This cross-sectional, retrospective study was designed to evaluate the current clinical applications and acute hepatotoxicity of intravenous amiodarone administration at a hospital in China. Clinical data were collected from 1214 patients receiving intravenous amiodarone treatment between October 2003 and September 2005. Baseline patient characteristics, drug indications, administration records and acute hepatotoxicity associated with the drug were examined. ⋯ Males showed a higher incidence of hepatotoxicity than females. The use of amiodarone was considered to be reasonable and standardized, but there was still considerable room for improvement, particularly in the standardization of administration guidelines. Intravenous amiodarone can cause hepatotoxicity and hepatic function tests should be performed soon after giving amiodarone intravenously.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Phenylephrine attenuates intra-operative hypothermia during spinal anaesthesia.
Inadvertent hypothermia is common during spinal anaesthesia. This study was based on the hypothesis that phenylephrine might attenuate core hypothermia by inhibiting core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat during spinal anaesthesia. In this prospective randomized study, 20 patients who underwent elective orthopaedic surgery under spinal anaesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either normal saline (control group) or continuously-infused phenylephrine 0.5 microg/kg per min (phenylephrine group). ⋯ Mean +/- SE core temperature at the end of surgery was significantly higher in the phenylephrine-treated group compared with the control group (35.9 +/- 0.1 degrees C versus 35.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C, respectively), although there was no significant difference in baseline core temperature (both groups 36.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C). Mean HR and MAP were not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, continuously-infused phenylephrine attenuated core hypothermia during spinal anaesthesia without any haemodynamic complications.